Magic Loop
Magic Loop is a technique for working in the round that avoids the use of double pointed needles. Using longer-than-usual circular needles, you can knit projects even with very small circumferences, like wee little socks, crowns of hats, cuffs of sleeves… the list goes on!
Note: You can use a form of Magic Loop for both crochet and knitting. Here we demonstrate the technique for knitting!
And once you’ve mastered one piece on Magic Loop, why not try two? To knit sleeves and socks in double-time, check out our Magic Loop: Two At A Time Tutorial next!
Thank you, this video demystified the magic loop technique! I’m going to bookmark it for reference.
Excellent video! Made everything so clear! Thank you!
Thank you! No more double points for me!
Thanks for the clear video! I tried it on one of your handwarmer patterns which involved a lot slip stitches with size 7 needles, and found I had so much trouble getting the stitches from the cable back on the needle that I gave up and went back to double-pointed for this pattern. Is magic loop easier with smaller needle sizes or straight stockinette stitch?
Hi Naomi,
Thanks for reaching out! Issues with magic loop are usually caused by the type of needle you are using – if your needle does not have a smooth tapered join between the cord and needle, getting the stitches back on the needle can be quite frustrating indeed. The needle size can play a part, but usually is only an issue with needles that are significantly larger than the cord starting around a US 11 and up, so I wouldn’t think a US 7 would cause any problems due to the size of the needle. Even very small needles that are not significantly different from the cord, such as a US 1 or 2, can be problematic for magic loop if they have a join that catches the yarn. I use Addi Turbo and Addi Rocket needles frequently for magic loop projects in a variety of sizes and find them to be quite easy to work with!
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I have been making a pair of socks and every time o turn the work the stitches tend to get snagged on the needle to cable transition, do the addi turbo or rocket needles prevent this?
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for reaching out! Are you working with a wood or bamboo needle? If so that could explain the snagging, Addi Turbo or Turbo Rocket needles will help a lot with that, the metal needles are very smooth and easy to work with and shouldn’t cause any snagging!
Warmly,
Gianna
Best explanation of magic loop I have seen. I have watched others and only got confused.
You are an excellent teacher — many thanks!
Thank you for this video it is helpful
I cannot get the free pattern for stripey socks for Cri Du
Awareness. I got the 18 pages of socks. No Pattern
Hi Joan,
Thanks for reaching out! You can get the free pattern by going to our Easy Heel Colorblock Socks Pattern page. The price is automatically discounted to free, no coupon necessary!
Best,
Julianna
Great tutorial. I feel really confident to use this technique now. Thanks!
Thank you! So many videos I watched made this more complicated (especially the joining in the round). What a relief, time to knit now.
Lori
Hi. Please can you offer some help. I have worked as far as the underarm for your Raglan sleeve pullover knitted in the round. I have looked at all the comments relating to this pattern on your website so it seems to me that there is a problem with the wording used in the pattern. My querries are from the point of seperating front and back where I find the instructions very confusing.
1.Round 1 K9 place previous 18 sts on stitch holder – does that include the 9 ?? If so why not put that in the instructions.
2. If so then there are 9 sts equally on front and back from the side i.e. the point from which the hemline curve begins. Is that correct??
Just a suggestion as there seem to be many queries relating to this pattern why not reread it and sort out the issues..
Hi Doreen,
Thanks for writing in! This step might seem a little confusing but I’m happy to help clear it up! This row is written in this manner because the held underarm stitches need to be centered around the side seam marker – in other words, when you knit 9 past the marker and then place the previous 18 stitches on hold, you will be using the 9 stitches on either side of the marker, which does include the 9 stitches you just knitted. This will ensure that, yes, the underarm stitches are centered above the high point of the hem, between the two curved edges, so the curved hems end up on the front and back of the sweater.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Thank you for your magic loop tutorial. It was very easy to follow.
Thank you very much for the clearest, most
easy to follow explanation of magic loop.
Brilliant.
This was a real eye opener for me! I hope to never see another DPN! Thank you.
I purchased love bird yarn for the Giverny cowl. I didn’t realize the pattern was knitted in the round and was hoping for a pattern worked flat. Anyway, I was advised to look at this video. The pattern calls for 16 inch round needles, but this tutorial says 40. I’m an advanced beginner and intimidated by knitting in the round. Would it be best to use 40 inch? Any other advice? I love this pattern and the yarn and really want to get started.
Hi Michele,
Thanks for reaching out again! As I suggested before, since the Giverny Cowl pattern is a simple rib you could easily work it flat and then stitch it up after! Just keep in mind that the written instructions only include right side rows since it is worked in the round, so you will need to make sure you keep track and work the wrong side rows to maintain the rib pattern. I would not recommend magic loop for the cowl. Magic loop is a method to be used to make smaller circumference items like socks, hand warmers or closing the top of a hat!
I hope this clears things up and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Warmly,
Gianna
I appreciate your time. Thanks so much.
I am using older circular needles and I find the cord is way too tightly coiled to make Magic Loop easy. My rounds keep turning inside out. I’ve tried putting the cord in hot water but overnight it coils up again. Do you have any more tips?
Hi Gillian,
I’m sorry to hear that the cable on your needles has been making the Magic Loop method difficult! I’m not sure why this could be happening, but I’d like to help you get to the bottom of this! The first thing that comes to mind as to why your cord keeps tangling is how your project gets stored between knitting. If you store your project in a bag between knitting, the cord can become twisted, dented, and misshapen. This is usually fixed by dipping the cord in boiling water then leaving them to set for a few hours, but I’m wondering if they’ve been stored in a bag or if you started using the needles too soon after boiling them.
The fabric itself will also sometimes roll up at the edge, so this tension can cause a bit pulling and twisting on your needles. Readjusting the cord frequently can keep your knitting neater. You can readjust your loop by pulling your needles so that the magic loop gets pulled flat, then you can recreate the magic loop again by pinching and pulling out the cable at the middle of your round.
Finally, it can be more difficult to keep your project straight while working the first few rounds, so if you haven’t knit more than an inch yet, this could be why you are experiencing this tangling. It does get easier with time though, and readjusting your work frequently will start to become second nature!
I hope this helps to solve the issue you’ve been having, and please let me know if you have any other questions!
All the best,
Carly
I can’t understand why anybody would do this when DPNs are SO much easier to work with. That looks way too fiddly for me, I don’t see the advantage.
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Many knitters find DPNs difficult to use, and magic loop provides an alternative. Some advantages to the magic loop technique are: only 2 needle points in total, often faster than DPNs, minimal to no laddering between needles.
Overall though, it’s completely a matter of personal preference as to which method one chooses to use! We think it’s wonderful that there are multiple options for knitting in the round.
All the best,
Lili